The EU hopes that a reform to the WTO regarding arbitrations will be ready in 2024

The United States is entering a third phase of talks to reform the dispute arbitration system from World Trade Organization (OMC), and aims to have it “fully operational” by the end of 2024, its representative with the entity told Reuters on Thursday.

The WTO appeals court, which decides major disputes, has been paralyzed for more than two years due to Donald Trump era lockdowns in the appointment of arbitrators.

Under the Joe Biden presidency, Washington has resisted calls by WTO members to approve the appointments and has instead been leading negotiations on how to restart the WTO dispute system.

“Our goal is that (the difference system) fully operational in 2024US Deputy Trade Representative Maria Pagan told Reuters in her first public comments on the closed-door talks, saying Washington was “very committed” to the reforms.

When asked about the possibility of reactivating the Appellate Body, she did not rule it out. “I think it needs a lot of reforms,” ​​she said.

The United States has criticized the alleged overreach and slowness of the WTO processes and has vigorously challenged some of its recent rulings.

US-led consultations with more than 70 countries over the past year have included 12 reform issues that are expected to lead to concrete proposals, Pagan said, declining to elaborate but suggested they would include alternatives to formal litigation, such as mediation.